What R U Reading? - The Way Left

Books and articles shaping progressive thought.

These are a few of my book recommendations. There are so many more I could list out but had to start somewhere.
Read…read more…and then read again. Enjoy!

Book cover Why The Purpose of the Universe

Why? The Purpose of the Universe: Goff, Dr Philip: 9780198883760: Amazon.com: Books

Why are we here? What's the point of existence? On the 'big questions' of meaning and purpose, Western thought has been dominated by the dichotomy of traditional religion and secular atheism. In this pioneering work, Philip Goff argues that it is time to move on from both God and atheism. Through an exploration of contemporary cosmology and cutting-edge philosophical research on consciousness, Goff argues for cosmic purpose: the idea that the universe is directed towards certain goals, such as the emergence of life.

Cover of Stephen Hawking's book 'A Brief History of Time' featuring his portrait.

A Brief History of Time: Hawking, Stephen: 9780553380163: Amazon.com: Books

Our Universe and time from the genius mind of Mr. Hawking

Black and white portrait of a serious man speaking, titled 'Buckley Jr. The Maker of a Movement.'

William F. Buckley Jr.: The Maker of a Movement: Edwards, Lee: 9781610171557: Amazon.com: Books

He helped build and strengthen the conservative movement…his son abandoned it…look where it got us

Book cover of The MANIAC by Labatut.

Amazon.com : the maniac

A prodigy whose gifts terrified the people around him, John von Neumann transformed every field he touched, inventing game theory and the first programable computer, and pioneering AI, digital life, and cellular automata. Through a chorus of family members, friends, colleagues, and rivals, Labatut shows us the evolution of a mind unmatched and of a body of work that has unmoored the world in its wake.

Book cover about AI risks and consequences.

If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All: Yudkowsky, Eliezer, Soares, Nate: 9780316595643: Amazon.com: Books

The scramble to create superhuman AI has put us on the path to extinction—but it’s not too late to change course, as two of the field’s earliest researchers explain in this clarion call for humanity.

Yellow robotic hand on black background.

The Naked Sun (The Robot Series Book 2) - Kindle edition by Asimov, Isaac. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

On the beautiful Outer World planet of Solaria, a handful of human colonists lead a hermit-like existence, their every need attended to by their faithful robot servants.

Book cover Murder the Truth by David Enrich.

Amazon.com: Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful – An Essential Investigation of America's War on Journalism eBook : Enrich, David: Kindle Store

"Authoritarian governments abroad have long used legal threats and lawsuits against journalists to cover up their disinformation, corruption, and violence. Now, as master investigative journalist David Enrich reveals, those tactics have arrived in America.” — Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen

Black Holes book cover with colorful illustration.

Black Holes: The Key to Understanding the Universe: Cox, Brian, Forshaw, Jeff: 9780062936691: Amazon.com: Books

At the heart of our galaxy lies a monster so deadly it can bend space, throwing vast jets of radiation millions of light years out into the cosmos. Its kind were the very first inhabitants of the universe, the black holes.

What R U Listening to? - The Way Left

Music, podcasts, and voices that inspire change.

These are a few of my podcast recommendations. There are so many more I could list out but had to start somewhere. Listen, learn….repeat. Enjoy!

Physics, Philosophy, Science and Thought – Sean’s podcasts and his books are a joy

The Bulwark is funny, pro-democracy and very informative…some ‘former’ conservative neo con background which makes it even more interesting

Rich Roll podcast makes me happy. Looking for health, food/vegan, ultra sport and positive vibes….this is it

Dr. Michael Greger…now this is food science from one of the leading authorities. Listen, read, learn and enjoy a healthier mindset and body

Carlin’s work weaves historical information with deep questions and Twilight Zone-style twists to help illustrate the power and continuing relevance of the past. Drama, extremes, empathy and vivid examples of both the highs and lows of humanity dominate the narrative. It’s a trademark mix of elements that has been entertaining listeners since 2005.

Apolitical podcast...diving into misinformation

I admire Lex and love a lot of his podcasts. His interviews are long form and information dense. However, not a fan of his political leader interviews. Too gracious…not enough digging in my opinion. For example, feel like he went harder on Zelensky than he did on Trump…not saying he has ‘orange on him’, just, in my opinion, he should lean tech, history, gaming and politics just not with leaders like Trump, Zelensky, Modi, etc.

There are authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States. To root them out, you have to know where to look.

David is great…maybe a little too democratic but his heart and mind are in the right place

What is Verity?

Verity is a free news site that aims to counter media bias and profit-driven misuses of AI that have resulted in a distorted online news environment where clicks are prioritized over objectivity and depth. Powered by journalists using AI productivity tools, we deliver the full, nuanced truth behind every major news story.

The power, the importance and the knowledge of women. Julia kills it.

Dax & Monica run a fun and informative podcast. Dax, like me, talks too much

Sam is one of my favorites…except on Gaza/Israel. Tons of great interviews on philosophy, consciousness, politics and current events. Recommend highly

Anthony and Katty are great…very current and focused

Scott and Ed are fantastic on US economic topics, issues and policies

David, a longtime conservative, does an excellent job speaking to the current events/politics and historical equivalents. His interviews are top shelf for sure

The great chess world champion and Russian activist is honest, direct and experienced

Chis Williamson has a lot of good topics and guests. Goes a little too ‘bro’ for me…not Andrew Tate ‘bro’ but…

Hilarious…short and sweet

What R U Watching? - The Way Left

Films, documentaries, and media fueling the movement.

These are a few of my viewing recommendations. Some movies, some TV shows and some documentaries. There are so many more I could list out but had to start somewhere. Watch…for fun and for knowledge…and for going to sleep on the couch. Enjoy!

Poster for the film Dr. Strangelove with caricatures and planes.

Peter Sellers and Stanley Kubrick at their best. Nuclear annihilation has never been so funny and so poignant

Movie poster for the thriller 'Don't Look Up' featuring main cast inside the title.

Science is real

A black-and-white photograph of Abraham Lincoln with a man working at a desk in the background.

Lincoln during the civil war with Sally Fields the great Daniel Day-Lewis. More Lincoln, more Day-Lewis please

Poster of the movie Idiocracy featuring a satirical Vitruvian Man.

Title speaks for itself…hilarious and, yet, so true?

Poster of the animated movie WALL-E featuring the robot and a futuristic setting.

Zuckerberg’s and Bezo’s wet dream of the future state of screen engaged humanity.

Amanpour - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

It’s a POD but Christiane is also on CNN. Objective, direct…maybe my favorite journalist, male or female.

Bloomberg - Business News, Stock Markets, Finance, Breaking C World News

They try to stay unbiased. Not perfect but high degree of valuable economic insights worldwide.

A dramatic poster shows a woman standing defiantly against a giant Nazi symbol.
A soldier in a helmet with a rifle, promotional image for PBS documentary 'The War'.
Title screen of Ken Burns' documentary The Civil War with a cannon silhouette at sunset.
Cover of a PBS documentary about Thomas Jefferson by Ken Burns.

Ken Burns….any documentary by him is worth it.

An elderly man in a suit stands in a lush, green forest with sunlight filtering through trees.

David Attenborough…A life on our planet..anything he does on the earth, climate…our planet

Cover of 'Anthropocene' showing a mountain mining site under a cloudy sky.

It’s a new era for earth and the climate…that’s not good

Poster for 'The Biggest Little Farm' documentary showing farm landscape and animals.

Great little movie about trying to live with Earth…sustainably

Cover of 'The China Study' book on diet and health.

Read the book and watch the YouTube video/documentary…think about meat consumption

Documentary poster promoting plant-based diets to combat disease.

Food…kind of important

Portrait of economist Milton Friedman with a brief bio.

Read and watch documentaries on or about Mr. Friedman…conservative but very thoughtful

Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator film poster.

Mocking Hitler in 1940…Charlie Chaplin at his finest

Two men in suits celebrating under a sign that reads 'The Producers'.
Poster of the movie "Blazing Saddles" featuring a cowboy on a horse.

Anything and everything by Mel Brooks

A vintage-style poster celebrating Native American heritage and history.

True Natives